KUALA LUMPUR – As the gold medal for the women’s high jump at Sukma 2024 was placed around Ku Yee Aleng’s neck, her thoughts turned to her late father, Ku Boon Yu.
Although he was not her biggest supporter when it came to her athletic ambitions, she feels that her latest achievement would have made him proud. He passed away seven years ago.
“I am extremely sad that I don’t have a father. He passed away when I was in Year 6, and he wasn’t keen on me pursuing sports because he wanted me to focus on my studies,” Ku Yee shared, Bernama reported from Kuching.
“I wasn’t doing well academically at the time, so he urged me to slow down on sports. But now, I feel like I can make him go ‘wow’, even though he’s no longer with me.”
Now a university student at the Institute of Teacher Education Gaya Campus in Sabah, Ku Yee has excelled both academically and athletically, a balance she believes would have earned her father’s approval.
In today’s high jump final, Ku Yee clinched the gold medal for Sabah, clearing 1.64m on her second attempt.
Her closest competitor, Penang’s Melissa Choong En Xuan, also cleared 1.64m but needed three attempts, earning her the silver.
Despite never expecting to make it to the podium, Ku Yee, who has a personal best of 1.61m, was thrilled with her victory.
“I am delighted with this win because this is my first Sukma outing. I did not expect to win because Melissa is so strong, whereas I am just an athlete training in a small district in Sabah,” said Ku Yee, the fourth of six siblings.
“I dedicate this victory to my mother (Normah Annung), my coach, and everyone who has supported me till this moment.”
The athletics competition at Sukma, offering a total of 47 gold medals, kicked off today and will run for five days. – August 19, 2024